Teachers visiting this website may use the test question blog or similar tool to design tests for their particular students. My students will take a test using some student-generated questions from this blog. (See the Navigation Bar for the Test Questions Blog.) The teacher reserves the right to design the final test based on student input and/or actual classroom instruction.

Unit Objectives

All Students:

• Student will state at least three events/factors in Colonial America leading up to the start of the Revolutionary War.
• Student will be able to give the names and significance of at least five people who lived during this period.
• Student will identify at least four events of the Revolutionary War period in chronological order.
• Student will compare and contrast life in Colonial America during this period to life today, and include at least two similarities and three differences.
• Student will use a blog to create and submit possible test questions.
• Demonstrate effective use of graphic organizers to aid comprehension.
• Student will use a variety of educational technology tools to develop projects and achieve above-mentioned objectives.

Additional Individualized Project-Related Objectives:

• Student will read selections from two different genres about the revolution (i.e. – biography, poem, historical fiction, nonfiction).
• Student will choose a genre and write a piece about the American Revolution (poem, story, article, descriptive paragraph, biography, informative paragraph, historical fiction story, etc.)
• Student will give an in-depth presentation on a famous person from this time period, or famous battles or other events.
• Choose other type of visual, auditory or multi-modality project to demonstrate knowledge of the American Revolution.

Assessment & Evaluation/Grading Criteria

Grading Information Activity or assignment Number of Points Possible

Class Participation ------------------------5 pts. per day (* up to 60 points based on 12 day unit)
Entry to Test Blog ------------------------10 pts.
Graphic Organizer -------------------------20 pts.
1st of your Project Choices------------ 50 pts.
2nd of your Project Choices -----------50 pts.
Written Test ---------------------------------50 pts.
Total amount of points possible will depend on the number of days allotted for the unit. Additional points may be awarded for extra credit projects, at the teacher's discretion.

Rubrics

Famous People Project Rubric (50 Points Possible)

Historical Facts and Background

5 Strong - three or more accurate, detailed facts about that time period or about events

3 Developing - three facts that may not all be relevant and that aren’t detailed, i.e. There was a war. Some men fought.

1 Beginning - less than three facts

Description of Person and Why He or She is Famous

5 Strong - detailed description the person; age, likes/dislikes, family, traits, occupation, person’s actions, etc.

3 Developing - some details of the person; brief, some important ideas left out

1 Beginning - one or two characteristics; basic description, not well developed

How Person’s Life Impacted The Outcome of the War or Others’ Feelings About The War

5 Strong - Information/conclusion makes sense, is realistic and detailed

3 Developing - Information or conclusion drawn is unrealistic or not detailed

1 Beginning - one item only, or conclusion does not make sense

How Person’s Life Impacted The Lives Of The Colonists

5 Strong - Information/conclusion makes sense, is realistic and detailed

3 Developing - Information or conclusion drawn is unrealistic or not detailed

1 Beginning - one item only, or conclusion does not make sense

How Person’s Life Impacts The Lives Of Other People Today

5 Strong - Information/conclusion makes sense, is realistic and detailed

3 Developing - Information or conclusion drawn is unrealistic or not detailed

1 Beginning - one item only, or conclusion does not make sense

How Person’s Life Impacts Your Life Today

5 Strong - Information/conclusion makes sense, is realistic and detailed

3 Developing - Information or conclusion drawn is unrealistic or not detailed

1 Beginning - one item only, or conclusion does not make sense

Use of Technology or Other Method of Presentation

15 Strong Project Design and Presentation/Within Acceptable Time Frame

10 Acceptable Project Design and Presentation/ Within Acceptable Time Frame

5 Minimal Effort/ Late without special excusal

Bibliography

5 Strong - Information is detailed and accurate

3 Developing - Information is not detailed

1 Beginning - one or two items only, errors in information

This total project will count as one of the choices from the project list. (Remember, you still need to complete an entry to the Test Question Blog, complete one of the graphic organizers, and complete one other project on the project page list.


Other projects from the project list will be graded by a similar method and/or rubric. Originality, learning outcome, use of educational technology or other presentation methods, timeliness, work ethic, background knowledge, effort, factual information, effectiveness of project choice and appeal will all be taken into consideration by the teacher in the grading process. The teacher has the final say in determining how to grade each project, whether or not a rubric will be used, and the grade that is earned. Since many teachers may use this website and project list, a specific rubric will be determined by the particular teacher, as deemed necessary and appropriate.